Travel Blog

A guide for the first-timers in Goa

Goa, the party capital of India, is not only known for its beaches, sunburn festival but a lot more. Here’s all you need to know about the places to visit in Goa especially for the first-timers.

Goa is with no doubt India’s West Coast paradise. From the glorious sands of Anjuna beach to the nightlife of Tito’s Road, there are many well-loved places to visit here.

Goa is found in India as its smallest state but it is a unique place with a lot of visitors each year. It is India’s most popular holiday destination for decades. It is famous for its beautiful beaches in the country, with tall coconut and palm trees as well as white sands. Despite Goa conjures party type images, it also has a flip side of holding a relaxing destination. There is a rare mixture of Roman Catholic churches and Hindu temples.

Despite being the party capital of India Goa is a peaceful place. And this is the reason that it is known as the party capital of India and is on the top list of popular holiday destination.

Not only for the youth and the party lovers, but Goa is also the perfect destination for the couples, for the honeymooners and for those looking for a relaxing time away from city noise. So here are some important tips for you all who are planning to visit Goa in January or in the coming months.

Anjuna beach

It is Located about 18km from Panaji( the capital of Goa), Anjuna beach is the unconventional and original hippy hangout of Goa. It is the Home to the famous Wednesday flea market and the destination of choice for first timers visiting Goa.With beachfront accommodation and a variety of traditional dining, Anjuna’s soft white sands are only a short walk away from the historic highlights of Chapora Fort and the Albuquerque Mansion.

ANJUNA BEACH –

Chapora Fort

Chapora Fort, located in Bardez, Goa. The fort is near the Chapora river and hence it was named as Chapora Fort. However, there is one more name of this fort, “Dil Chahta hai Fort”. Yes, this is the fort where the Aamir Khan starrer movie “Dil Chahta Hai” was shot in 2001.When the movie became a superhit, people across the country and especially the youth started visiting here and named it as the “Dil Chahta Hai” fort. Evening time is the best time to visit Chapora Fort because sunset sky looks amazing from here. Moreover, when the sky paints everything around, especially the Chapora River and beaches of Chapora, in its sunset color, ah! it’s amazing!

Dil Chahta Hai scene

Sunset over the Fort

Cavelossim beach

Cavelossim beach is in South Goa. This is a long stretch of white sand with a few black lava rocky outcrops. Cavelossim is a great place to see sunsets. It is peaceful and relaxing here as there even in the peak season this place is not that crowded. There are a few beach shacks and restaurants that serve Goan food, seafood, local delicacies, and continental. There are dolphin viewing trips, bird-watching, and river cruising. No chaos of North Goa. Cavelossim beach is the cleanest and the most serene beach in all of Goa.

Dudhsagar Falls

Dudhsagar Falls (means Sea of Milk ) is a four-tiered waterfall located on the Mandovi River in the Indian state of Goa. It is 60 km from Panaji by road.

Dudhsagar Falls -Goa

Dudhsagar Falls -Goa

Dudhsagar Falls -Goa

Dudhsagar Falls -Goa

Goa Food

Goan food is wonderfully diverse and one of the world’s original fusion foods. Although fish curries, fruit rice, and other staple dishes shouldn’t be missed. And, seafood is indeed usually a must on the menu for Goans.

Markets In Goa

Anjuna Flea Market (every Wednesday)

Arpora Night Flea Market

Mapusa Market (every Friday)

Anjuna-Flea-Market Goa

Anjuna-Flea-Market Goa

Other best beaches

NORTH GOA –

Mandrem

Arambol

Calangute beach – one of the most popular beaches of Goa lies in Calangute town. A big, popular beach with water sports, such as boating, water skiing & parasailing, plus food stalls.

Baga beach – It starts where the Calangute beach ends, around 30 Km North of Panaji. Baga is located at the north end of the contiguous beach stretch that starts from Sinquerim, Candolim, leads to Calangute and then to Baga. Baga Beach is considered to be the most stunning beach in all of Goa.

Morjim

Ashwem

SOUTH GOA –

Palolem

Utorda

Agonda

Varca

Palolem Goa Beach

Morjim Beach Goa

Other Attractions in Goa

Panaji/Panjim – It is the capital of Goa. It is full of historical Latin & Portuguese culture.

Spice plantation – There are many spice plantation all over. You can cover it while going to the Dudhasagar falls.

Casino cruise

Transport Facilities in Goa

The roads in Goa are well linked to the capital Panaji so getting around Goa is pretty easy. But yes, unfortunately, the state’s bus service is very limited and is very crowded, and the taxis are exorbitantly priced. So the vast majority of tourists, therefore, choose to rent motorbikes, although carpooling is also an option if you are traveling with luggage. But yes, Motorbikes are by far the cheapest mode of transport here in Goa.

Best Time to Visit Goa –

November – March is favorable as the weather is dry and cooler.

In April & May it is unbearably hot and June – Sept/October have the monsoon rains. Monsoon time is the off-season time but Goa looks mesmerizing during this period and also the hotel and other rates are cheap.

Languages Spoken –

4 languages are spoken in Goa – Konkani, English, Marathi, Hindi.

Nearest Airport –

The International Airport is the sole airport in Goa and is in Dabolim on the west coast roughly in the middle of the state.

Nearest Railway Station –

Goa has two major railway stations – Margao and Vasco-da-Gama Both these stations are located in the southern area of the state. The South Central Railway terminus is at Vasco-da-Gama and the Konkan Railway terminus is at Margao.